THE FAMILY OF ANTHONY THORNBER IN SLAIDBURN
FORMERLY YORKSHIRE, NOW LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND

Slaidburn 2

Anthony Thornber was baptised the son of Giles Thornber and Margaret Jackson on 13 May 1705 at Slaidburn.  There is a will of Ralph Jackson, of Atkinsons, Bolton by Bowland, husbandman, dated 13 April 1726, granted 26 May 1726, which names Giles Thornber as his son-in-law. Anthony married Hannah Booker, both of Slaidburn on 21 April 1733, at Gisburn, by licence.  On the marriage bond and allegation, dated 18 April 1733, it states that Anthony of Brookhouse Green, yeoman, above 27, and Hannah Bouker of Slaidburn, aged above 26, were licensed for a marriage at Slaidburn or Gisburn.  Anthony was a bondsman as was Henry Isherwood of Gisburn, yeoman.

The administration of Anthony's will began on 25 October 1762 so we can identify him as the Anthony of Brookhouse Green, buried on 28 September 1762 at Slaidburn.  Hannah Thornber, his wife, of Brookhouse Green, was buried a few days later on 4 October 1762.

It appears that the executors of Anthony, his two eldest sons, were bound in the sum of £200 to proceed with the execution of the will. His son Giles is cut off with the proverbial shilling possibly because they had fallen out. Sometimes a son received little because he had already been provided for during his father's lifetime.

"Know all men by these presents that we Ralph Thornber and John Thornber of Brook House Green in the parish of Slaidburn, County of York, Yeomen and Richard Bradley of Stephen Moor Height in the Parish of Mitton and County aforesaid, husbandman do stand and are firmly bounded and obliged unto the Worshipful Francis Topham, Doctor of Laws, Commissary of the Exchequer Court of the Most Reverend Father in God Robert, by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of York in the sum of £200 of good and lawful money etc. etc. to act as administrators by these presents dated 25 October 1762."

The document warns that if need be they will be required to enter into a further bond with more sufficient sureties for the performance of the duties. Ralph Thornber, John Thornber and Richard Bradley signed at the foot of the document. There is then attached a handwritten copy of the will which includes the following genealogical information:

"First I give and bequeath to Ralph Thornber and John Thornber, my sons, all the messuage and tenement with the appurtenances thereto belonging called Brookhouse Green situate in the Parish an County aforesaid for ever. Also I give and bequeath to Giles Thornber the sum of one shilling and likewise I give and bequeath to William Thornber and Anthony Thornber my youngest sons and Elisabeth Thornber and Margret Thornber my daughters each the sum of fifty pounds to be paid by the two joint executors Ralph Thornber and John Thornber twelve months after my decease if they be of age and sufficient interest for the same until they come of age. Lastly I give and bequeath to the said Ralph Thornber and John Thornber all debts due to me at my decease my goods and chattels whatsoever to their use and behoof and do hereby nominate and appoint them sole executors requiring them to pay all my just debts and legacies before mentioned and to pay my funeral charges. And if William Thornber, Anthony Thornber, Elizabeth Thornber or Margret Thornber shall any of them die before they become of age, marriage or enjoyment of their legacies herein mentioned, after their funeral charges are defrayed the remainder be equally divided among all the rest.

Witnesses to the will were James Watson, Senior, James Watson, Junior and Agnes Watson. Apprisers of the inventory were Richard Bradley, Ralph Thornber and John Thornber.

Anthony's brother William left a will in 1770 and mentions six children of his brother Anthony as William, Anthony, Ralph, Margaret, John and Giles the eldest. Two additional daughters, Elizabeth and Jennet had died by the time this will was written.

There are baptism records at Slaidburn for the following children except Ralph.  There is a gap in 1736 in the Slaidburn registers and this probably accounts for there being no record for him. We know from the date of Ralph's marriage that he cannot be one of the younger children and so the gap between 1734 and 1738 seems most likely for him.

An Australian Connection

I have received information from Anne Morse in Australia that she has been tracing the family of Vera Myrtle Thornber (1889-1973) the daughter of Frederick William James Thornber (1845-1927) who married Harriet Rowles. Frederick is believed to be the son of William Thornber (1823-1849) who married Sarah Swift. William was the son of John Thornber who married Hannah Barker (no dates given) and John (9 May 1776, at Slaidburn) was the son of Ralph Thornber (1736-1793) who married Mary Wilson and is shown below in generation.

I have information from Mrs. Janet Thornber of the family of John Thornber and Hannah Barker and they are covered as Family E on my Halifax page.

• 1.      Anthony Thornber, bapt. 13 May 1705, Slaidburn, buried 28 Sept 1762, Slaidburn.  Will of 17 April 1756 gives children as Ralph, John, Giles, William, Anthony, Elizabeth and Margaret.  William and Anthony were said to be the youngest sons.
• +      Hannah Booker, 21 April 1733 at Gisburn by licence; marriage bond and allegation state he was 27 or above and she 26 or above.  Hannah was baptised in 1704 in Slaidburn, and was buried 4 Oct 1762, Slaidburn..
  • 2.      Giles, son of Anthony of Woodhouse bapt. 21 April 1734, at Slaidburn. A Giles was buried at Slaidburn on 15 Oct. 1789.  There is an Admon. for a Gyles, late of Slaidburn, by Betty Thornber, widow and administratrix, dated 10 Dec 1789.
  • +       Elizabeth Bleazard in Slaidburn on 4 Jan 1763, both of this parish, witnesses were John Thornber and Chris Weanman.
  • 2.      Ralph must have been born about 1736 but his baptism record has not been found as noted above.  He is known to be the son of Anthony from Anthony's will.  Ralph must have been born before 1743 to marry at full age.  Ralph Thornber of Mittons in Woodhouse, buried Slaidburn, 26 June 1793
  • +      Mary Wilson in Slaidburn on 16 February 1764, both of this parish, in the presence of Robert Coat and Wm Wainwright.  Burial of Mary Thornber of Bridge End, on 10 Sep 1821, aged 84, (plausible for Ralph's wife.)
    • 3.     Anthony, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 23 Sept 1764, at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Wm, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 27 July 1766, at Slaidburn. See link for details of William Thornber who married Mary Ellison and had a family in Blackburn
    • 3.     Jennet, dau. of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 5 Feb 1769, at Slaidburn.  She was said to be of Woodhouse Lane when buried on 4 Dec 1783 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Ralph, son of Ralph, of Brookhouse Green, bapt. on 19 June 1771, at Slaidburn.  This is probably the Ralph, of Slaidburn, cotton weaver, who married Alice Banks of the same parish on 30 May 1801, by licence.  The minister was Joseph Bowman, curate and the witnesses William Banks and Wm Slaiter.  The marriage bond and allegation of 28 May 1801 states that Ralph, cotton weaver of Slaidburn, 21 or over, bachelor, was licensed to marry Alice Banks of Slaidburn, 17 or above, spinster, at Slaidburn.  The bondsmen were Ralph himself and John Banks of Slaidburn, farrier, who appeared personally to swear that he was the natural and lawful father of Alice Banks and that he agreed to the marriage.  They had at least 10 children all baptised at Slaidburn. See Footnote 4.
    • + Alice Banks
      • 4.     Alice, dau. of Ralph & Alice of Burnside, bapt. 23 June 1805 at Slaidburn. Alice Thornber, full age, spinster, of Staple Oak, Parish of Slaidburn, dau. of Ralph Thornber, labourer, married Thomas Laycock, of full age, bachelor, labourer of Wycollar, son of Thomas Laycock, farmer on 27 September 1842 at Colne Parish Church. Witnesses were Peter Smith and James Laycock. (Marriage Cert.)
      • 4.     Ralph, son of Ralph & Alice of Burnside, bapt. 17 May 1807 at Slaidburn
      • 4.     John son of Ralph & Alice of Woodhouse, bapt. 12 June 1810 at Slaidburn. John Thornber of full age, bachelor, labourer of Colne Moor, son of Ralph Thornber, farmer, married Susan Whitaker, minor, a spinster of Nar End, the daughter of William Whitaker a farmer on 8 January 1839 at Colne Parish Church in the presence of Peter Smith and Ralph Thornber. (Marriage Cert.) See pages for Halifax and Todmorden.
      • 4.     Mary Ann,dau. of Ralph and Alice of Underburn bapt. 25 Dec 1812 at Slaidburn, died 18 October 1866 in Yorkshire.  Mary Ann Thornber, of full age, spinster of Colne Moor, daughter of Ralph Thornber, farmer married Peter Smith, of full age, bachelor, labourer of Cowling, the son of William Smith on 14 July 1840 at Colne Parish Church in the presence of James Smith and James Ellis. (Marriage Cert.) Peter Smith, born 1820, died 26 Sept 1867 in Yorkshire.
      • 4.     Jennet, dau. of Ralph and Alice of Underburn, bapt. 2 Apr 1815 at Slaidburn.  She died on 23 June 1896 in Fall River, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA.  On 12 May 1844 she married Phineas Parkinson Baxandall in England; he was born 9 Nov 1819 in Skipton,  Yorkshire. (Foothnote 1)
      • 4. Elizabeth, dau. of Ralph and Alice of Underburn, bapt. 6 Apr 1817 at Slaidburn.
      • 4. Jane, dau. of Ralph, a weaver, and Alice, of Woodhouse, bapt. on 19 Sept 1819 at Slaidburn
      • 4. William, son of Ralph, a farmer, and Alice, of Veepings, bapt. 2 Feb 1823 at Slaidburn. I have been contacted by Ian Thornber with a line of descent unaccompanied by dates or sources in which William Thornber married Helen Harwood. Their son John Thomas married Harriet Duckworth. Their son John Thornber married Florence Robinson. John was in the Great War and his son Norman fought at El Alamein.
      • 4. Hannah, dau. of Ralph, a farmer, and Alice, of Hey, bapt. 26 Sept 1824 at Slaidburn
      • 4. James, son of Ralph, a farmer, and Alice, of Hey, bapt. 25 Feb 1827 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Giles, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 1 Jan 1774, at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     John, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 19 May 1776, at Slaidburn
    • 3.     Christr, (Christopher) son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 10 June 1781, at Slaidburn
    • 3.     Edmund, son of Ralph of Woodhouse Lane, bapt. on 11 Jan 1784, at Slaidburn
    • 3. Molly dau. of Ralph of Davisons bapt. 14 May 1786, at Slaidburn.  
  • 2.     John, son of Anthony of Woodhouse, bapt. 27 Dec 1738, at Slaidburn. Burial of John Thornber of Woodhouse on 16 Dec 1797 aged 58.  This fits a birth in the region of 1738/9.  John left a will of 6 March 1797, naming sons William, John, Anthony, Giles and Benjamin and a daughter, Hannah the wife of Wm. Richardson fitting the children known to be baptised except for Hannah.
  • +     Ann Wilson, by licence, both of this parish, in Slaidburn on 9 July 1763, witnesses were Richard Bradley and Will Slaiter.  The marriage bond and allegation, dated 7 July 1763 stated that John Thornber of Brookhouse Green, Slaidburn, farmer of 22 or over and Ann Wilson of Brookhouse Green, 21 or above, spinster, were licensed to marry at Slaidburn.  Bondsmen were John himself and Richard Bradley of Height, farmer.  The details on the marriage allegation are consistent with this being John the son of Anthony, baptised in 1738.  Ann Thornber of Brookhouse Green was buried at Slaidburn on 25 April 1791.
    • 3.     Ann, dau. of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 30 July 1763 at Slaidburn.  Ann, dau. of John of Brookhouse Green was buried on 31 July 1763 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Betty, dau. of John, bapt. 7 Oct 1764 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Jane dau of Jno. Thornber of Woodhouse was interred in the church 9 June 1796 at Slaidburn, aged 28.  This means that she was born about 1768.
    • 3.     William son of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 19 Nov 1769 at Slaidburn.  William Thornber of Woodhouse was buried on 2 Apr 1799, aged 29 at Slaidburn. His will, dated 28 Feb 1799 mentioned his brothers John, Anthony, Giles and Benjamin, a sister Hannah Richardson, and his wife Hannah. Witnesses were William Thornber and George Scott.
    • 3.     John, son of John of Brookhouse Green bapt. 30 Aug 1772 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Anthony, son of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 20 Aug 1775 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Giles, son of John bapt. 22 March 1778 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Benjamin, son of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 15 July 1781 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Hannah is known from her father’s will and the will of her brother, William.  No baptism record has been found.  She married William Richardson from the evidence of her father's will. The baptisms of some of her children have been found in the registers for Skipton in Craven.
    • +      William Richardson
      • 4. Ann Richardson, 2nd daughter of William Richardson of Skyracks, labr. son of Edward Richardson of Meer Sykes near Wigglesworth, labourer and Hannah, daughter of John Thornber, late of Woodhouse near Slaidburn, labourer, born 26 Jan, bapt. 10 March 1799, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Anthony Richardson, 4th son, born 23 March, bapt. 19 April 1800, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Robert Richardson, 5th son, born 9 June, bapt. 4 July 1802, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Hannah Richardson, 3rd daughter, born 3 April, bapt. 5 May 1804, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Jane Richardson, 4th daughter, born 3 May, bapt. 2 June 1811, Skipton in Craven
  • 2. Elizabeth, daughter of Anthony of Woodhouse, was baptised on 9 April 1741 at Slaidburn.  Elizabeth Thornber of Brookhouse Green, spinster, was buried on 6 June 1763 at Slaidburn
  • 2. Jennet, daughter of Anthony of Woodhouse, was baptised on 30 Jan 1742/3 at Slaidburn.  Jennet, daughter of Anthony of Woodhouse, buried at Slaidburn on 29 October 1761.
  • 2.  William, son of Anthony of Woodhouse, was bapt. 20 October 1745 at Slaidburn. (See Footnote 2.)  The will of William, who died in 1828, confirms the name of his wife as Jane and the children baptised at Slaidburn.  It names two other children, Thomas and Ann whose baptism records have not been found. William Thornber of Stony Bank, was buried at Slaidburn on 19 February 1828, aged 82. (fits birth in 1745/6)
  • +   Jane (x) Brennand of Slaidburn, by banns, by R Brockbank, curate, witn: Ralph Thornber and William Brennand, 7 Jan 1772 at Slaidburn.  Jane Brennand was born in 1748.  Jane Thornber of Stoneybankwas buried at Slaidburn on 10 June 1831 aged 82.  The family of William Thornber and Jane Brennand is covered on a separate page.
  • 2. Margaret, dau. of Anthony of Woodhouse, baptised on 8 March 1747 at Slaidburn
  • 2. Anthoney, son of Anthony of Woodhouse, bapt. 12 Nov 1749 at Slaidburn.
  • + Margaret (x) Fell of Slaidburn, spinster, by banns, 5 Feb 1774, at Slaidburn by Thos Wilson, curate, witn; Wm Slaiter and Agnes Slaiter.  All the children mentioned below were baptised at Slaidburn.  (Footnote 3.)
    • 3.     Hannah, 23 May 1774, dau. of Anthony of Champion,
    • 3.     Sarah, 4 November 1775, dau. of Anthony of Woodhouse. Information from Neal Singleton: this is probably the Sarah Thornberry who married Nicholas Singleton (b. 1777) in 1799 at St Mary & All Saints, Whalley. Both parties were recorded as being from Pendleton at the time.
    • 3.     Anthony, 25 January 1778, son of Anthony of Woodhouse.
    • 3.     Betty, 13 July 1788, dau. of Anthony of Davisons.

Footnote 1.

Information from John Udell who has a letter to Jennet from her brother James signed "from your brother and sister J & G Thornber", dated Nov 24, 1890.  The letter mentions a sister Jane.  The sister with initial G. has not been identified.)

Footnote 2.

The William born in 1749, son of Ralph, can be distinguished from this William who married Jane Brennand in having a daughter, Agnes, who is mentioned in her grandfather’s will in 1790 and in her father's will in 1823 as described in the tree shown on Slaidburn families page 1

Footnote 3.

In Waddington there is another Anthony who married Alice Clayton in 1768.  He had children, Ann, Giles, Richard, Peggy, John and William baptised in Waddington between 1769 and 1789.  There is also a Jenney baptised at Great Mitton in 1797 said to be the daughter of Anthony and Alice.  There are two children of an Anthony Thornber, baptised at Bolton by Bowland, Alice, 6 September 1772 and Thomas, 15 March 1780.  This Anthony may be the one baptised in Waddington in 1745 the son of Richard.

Footnote 4

I am grateful to Louie and Judy Dietrich for the information that Ralph's date of birth was May 23, 1771 and Alice Banks Thornber was born Sept 17, 1784. They kindly provided me with the photograph below found in an old family album. They are Louie's g g g grandparents. I do not have a date of death for either Ralph or Alice but if they lived into the age of photography they must have been in their late 70s or 80s. At this period it was necessary to stand very still, usually leaning on a piece of furniture and often with the head supported on a rest.

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